Abuse victim gets his apology

A child abuse victim labelled "extremely disturbed" by children's minister Margaret Hodge has spoken of his delight at her agreement to apologise publicly, pay his legal costs and make a £10,000 donation to charity.

A child abuse victim labelled "extremely disturbed" by children's minister Margaret Hodge has spoken of his delight at her agreement to apologise publicly, pay his legal costs and make a &#xA3;10,000 donation to charity.

The package will be worth up to &#xA3;20,000 to Demetrious Panton, who had threatened to press ahead with his libel suit if Mrs Hodge did not follow her written apology of last Friday and promise not to repeat her comments with an admission she was wrong and charity payment, to Nacro (National Association for the Care and Resettlement of Offenders).

Last night, he said he was delighted. However, Mrs Hodge will not resign over the row, which erupted a week ago following the BBC's decision to read out a letter containing her remarks live on radio.

Mr Panton was abused while in care in the north London borough of Islington in the 1970s and where Mrs Hodge was leader of the council for 10 years from 1982.